Orbiting Is The New Dating Trend That Has Twitter Buzzing. What It Means

New Delhi: Welcome to 2018, where if you're single, you'll routinely be "ghosted" or "orbited." Confused? Don't be, we've got an up-to-date primer on all the terms millennials are using these days to describe their (often) tumultuous love lives.

Let's start with the latest: orbiting. According to Man Repeller's Anna Lovine, who coined the term, orbiting is the awful phenomenon of "a former suitor "keeping you in their orbit" - close enough to see each other; far enough to never talk." Think of it as ghosting 2.0 (what is ghosting, you ask? More on that in a bit).

An "orbiter" is someone who routinely watches all your Instagram and Snapchat stories, perhaps even likes and comments on your Facebook posts but ignores you IRL.
 

Is it ghosting if you both just don't text each other anymore but like each other's photos on Instagram

— Christine Varriale (@certaintragedy) April 26, 2018

 

"Orbiting" the new obnoxious trend exes use to keep you as an option

— kelly patti (@kellyp0620) May 1, 2018

 

Dating term du jour: Orbiting = "close enough to see each other; far enough to never talk" (aka ghosting but watching their snap/insta stories, liking photos/tweets). #datingtrends https://t.co/wL8HQ73wXI

— Jessica Maxwell (@Jess_A_Maxwell) April 29, 2018

 

Lmaooo just learned what orbiting is and it's the definition of my social media experience

— COWBOYS GOING 5-11 (@sianoxxvii) May 1, 2018

But why would anyone do it? Dating expert Persia Lawson tells BBC Three it's probably so people can "keep their options open." Her advice? Hit that block button and move on ASAP!

Next, a classic: ghosting. Urban Dictionary defines ghosting as "the act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone."  
 

I just heard of the term ghosting and actually had to use urban dictionary....our generation is messed in the head LOL. pic.twitter.com/DdfUDZEmaZ

— Angela (@itsangiewhyyy) November 20, 2016

Maybe you've ghosted someone, maybe you've been the "ghostee." Either way, it's the worst.

Up next: breadcrumbing. It's when you send flirty messages once in a while to keep up someone's interest but never actually following through.
 

New favorite word: breadcrumbing. Urban dictionary it, get acquainted with it, get informed. It's a thing.

— juliana herz (@juliherzz) February 3, 2017

It goes hand-in-hand with the next millennial dating term: benching. You know, that feeling when you're not sure you're actually interested enough to commit to someone but you're perhaps too lazy to look out for someone else. So, you just hold on to them and keep sending mixed signals.
 

between ghosting, breadcrumbing, benching, cushioning, etc.... dating is becoming just way too complicated.

— love and basketball (@stinabbbobina) May 10, 2017

 

Ghosting, talking, cuffing, curving, and benching. I'm going to be able to put bilingual on my resume. "Fluent in millennial dating terms"

— Meg Lenae (@mgnkramr) January 4, 2017

Love in the time of social media. Nobody said it would be easy.